Caribous, Mohawks and Other Flying Machines!

Ed Paquette sent me this email and link that I'd like to share with you.  There are some nice shots of a Mohawk in the video also.  I remember clearly seeing Caribous, both in Army and in PA&E livery, at Phu Hiep during my 28 months there, but I never did ride in one.  Enjoy this video ride!  Thanks Ed!

Super cool.  I've forwarded this on, and probably duplicated some addresses to whom you have also sent it. 

There a couple of pretty good shots of the Mohawk   Watch for them  

I would like to highlight a special aircraft in this video.  The DeHavilland "Caribou", the large twin-engine painted in her original Army color, is the one that was flown by the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation (AAHF) in aviation venues around the country.  

Over the course of time,  Caribou 149 became the focus of former Army Caribou crew members and their families who were drawn to Hampton, GA just to volunteer their time in the restoration, maintenance and flying in air shows.  That group became known as the "Bou Crew".  There was, and always will be, a special bond among the men who shared that wonderful ten year experience.  

Although the aircraft was privately owned by an individual, we considered her "ours".  Unfortunately, the owner decided to sell the aircraft and it left for the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Texas.  There, it continues to be a crowd pleaser and participates in air shows while preserving Army Aviation history for future generations.

                                 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ihkVwZxyCs&feature=player_embedded

YouTube - Videos from this email

ALERTS TO THREATS IN 2012 EUROPE: by John Cleese

George Drago sent this wonderful piece a while ago, but, considering the recurring upheaval in the Middle East, I thought you'd might like to see it again. 

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Libya and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved."  Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross."  The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out.  Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance."  The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.  

The Scots have raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the Bastards."  They don't have any other levels.  This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.  

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide."  The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender."  The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France 's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.  

Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and  

Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing."  Two more levels remain:  "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."  

The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs."  They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbour" and "Lose."  

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels .  

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy.  These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.  

Australia , meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to "She'll be alright, Mate."  Two more escalation levels remain:  "Crikey! I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!" and "The barbie is cancelled."  So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.  

-- John Cleese - British writer, actor and tall person  

A final thought:  Greece is collapsing, the Iranians are getting aggressive, and Rome is in disarray.  Welcome back to 401BC.

Air Show Disaster - AIRCRAFT HITS FOUR BUILDINGS

Bud Hart and George Drago both sent this one.  This is tough to watch. It just shows the dangers of attending these events.

Amazing photo below shows great detail. The pilot at low level had no control over his aircraft. It narrowly misses a crowd gathered for the air show and slams into four buildings.

One can only imagine the horror experienced by the occupants of those buildings.

No one was killed; but it probably scared the crap out of them.

Lower Than a Snake’s Belly in a Wagon Rut!

Link to this sight for some spectacular photos of some “magnificent men in their flying machines” that Steve Hammons sent to me some time ago.  This is a long article, but well worth the time to look at it all!

http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/325/language/en-CA/Lower-than-a-Snakes-Belly-in-a-Wagon-Rut.aspx